The human heart works constantly. It plays a major role in the body. Thanks to him, a full circulation of blood occurs. This body is unique in that in case of failures in one of its systems, normal operation does not occur. Sometimes a person may not even suspect that he has heart problems. That is, there are no complaints, nor any strange sensations. This situation occurs when it comes to prolapse of the mitral valve of the 1st degree.
What is called prolapse?
The human heart consists of 4 departments. It has two ventricles and two atria. These chambers are separated by valves. The purpose of the latter is that the blood flow in one direction and not return in the other.
Normally, these valves close the lumen between the atria and ventricles. However, sometimes during contraction, deflection occurs. A similar pathology was called prolapse.
A person has 4 valves.
The first is the aortic. It is necessary so that blood does not flow from the aorta to the left ventricle.
The second is a tricuspid. It is located on the right side and separates the ventricle from the atrium.
The pulmonary valve is the third. It is necessary in order to prevent the entry of blood from the pulmonary artery into the ventricle on the right side.
The latter is mitral. It has two wings: front and rear. Located on the left side.
It should be noted that mitral valve prolapse of the 1st degree can happen in absolutely any person. This valve suffers most often. Most experts believe that such diseases do not pose a particular threat to humans. Of course, we are talking about the minimum degree to which clinical symptoms do not occur.
Regurgitation and its degrees
Regurgitation is a process in which the valve flaps are poorly closed, so the blood goes in the opposite direction. It is not considered a very dangerous complication, but it all depends on the degree of development. There are three types of pathologies that are caused by the volume of blood by the length of the vessels through which it moves.
Mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation of 1 degree is considered normal. Blood is released only within a certain valve.
At 2 degrees, the blood reaches almost the middle of the atrium.
There is also a third, in which blood reaches the atrium and its posterior wall.
In the absence of regurgitation, we will talk about a zero degree.
What are the forms of prolapse?
Regarding this disease, there are several forms and degrees of prolapse. They differ among themselves by the depth of the deflection.
First degree. In this case, the deflection does not exceed 6 mm, however, it cannot be less than 3 mm. At the same time, regurgitation is small. As a rule, with this form of prolapse, there are practically no changes in the body. Accordingly, there are no symptoms. As a rule, mitral valve prolapse of the 1st degree with regurgitation is detected in a patient quite by accident.
Second degree. The process in which a deflection of up to 9 mm depth occurs. In this case, clinical symptoms may already appear.
Third degree. It is characterized by the fact that the flaps move more than 9 mm. Because of this, the structure of the heart itself is disturbed. The left atrium begins to expand, the walls of the ventricle increase. Consequently, the work of the heart muscle is disrupted, which entails significant malfunctions in the entire cardiovascular system.
Prolapse forms
There are primary and secondary forms of prolapse. If we talk about the first case, then, as a rule, this pathology is congenital or inherited. Also, sometimes this disease can occur due to genetic characteristics.
Secondary prolapse appears due to many heart diseases, which are very “popular” today. We are talking about a heart attack, coronary disease, rheumatism and so on. In addition, sagging valves are also provoked by lupus erythematosus, chest injury and more.
Symptoms of the primary form
Primary mitral valve prolapse, grade 1, is symptomatic as in vegetovascular dystonia. A person may have fainting conditions, often there is a feeling of lack of air, headaches and dizziness appear. Sometimes a low-grade fever occurs, many have panic attacks, intolerance to physical exercises, and also weather dependence.
Rarely, patients complain of a malfunction in the heart that cannot be removed with medication. Sometimes there are painful sensations that give in the heart.
The indirect symptoms of prolapse can be considered abundant menstruation in women, nosebleeds, as well as the formation of hematomas on the body.
Symptoms of the secondary form
If we are talking about the secondary form of mitral valve prolapse of the 1st degree, then the symptoms are slightly different from the above. A person may have dizziness and problems in the work of the heart, as well as shortness of breath, severe chest pain, even secretion of foam with blood when coughing.
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to identify immediately that this is prolapse, since these symptoms are found in heart attacks, as well as many other heart diseases.
This form of prolapse causes the structure of the connective tissue to change. A person gets tired too quickly, he gets shortness of breath even with the easiest physical work, and the heart starts to work slower or faster.
Diagnostics
In order to detect the prolapse of the valves of the mitral valve of the 1st degree, it is necessary to undergo a special diagnosis. It should be noted that the symptoms described above are not always a direct confirmation of this disease, therefore a serious examination by a cardiologist is necessary. Most often it includes:
- Auscultation. In other words, this is listening to the work of the heart using a conventional phonendoscope.
- Electrocardiography. It will help to detect the presence of arrhythmias, extrasystoles, and so on.
- Daily ECG monitoring. He gives a true picture of the work of the heart for a certain period.
- Ultrasound diagnostics. It shows how deep the deflection is and what degree of regurgitation.
Sometimes radiography and phonocardiography are added to this list.
Disease complications
Many do not even think about the danger of mitral valve prolapse of the 1st degree. At first glance it may really seem that this disease is completely harmless. However, it often causes serious complications such as stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and even sudden death is possible.
Sometimes, due to the deflection of the valves, infectious endocarditis may begin to develop.
It is necessary to pay attention to such symptoms: body temperature, which increases sharply, tachycardia or bradycardia, joint pain, hemorrhage, yellowed skin, and also the general condition of the body.
If endocarditis has already begun to develop, then it can be complicated by arrhythmia, thromboembolism and, as a result, a heart defect occurs. Therefore, the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse of the 1st degree should be paid increased attention.
Treatment
The choice of treatment methods depends entirely on the cause of the pathology, the form of development of regurgitation and the presence of complications. As a rule, when the first degree of the disease occurs, no specific therapy is prescribed. The main thing is to observe the regime of rest and work, not to get into stressful situations, perform light physical exercises, as well as drink vitamins, attend relaxing massages and so on. Doctors often prescribe sedatives.
If there are complaints, then treatment is prescribed, which includes sedatives, cardiotrophics, etc. Be sure to do physical therapy. This will save the patient from complications of prolapse of the anterior cusp of the mitral valve of the 1st degree.
Sometimes it happens that even such a harmless disease begins to progress very quickly. In this case, resort to surgical intervention: either sutured valve flaps, or completely replace them with a prosthesis.
Prolapse in childhood
As a rule, mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation of 1-2 degrees in childhood is practically not manifested. Often they discover it completely by accident, doing echocardiography. Symptoms begin to manifest at the age of 7 to 15 years. Most often, the first degree is diagnosed. In one child out of 100, prolapse of 3-4 forms occurs.
It should be noted here that treatment, first of all, will be aimed at restoring the entire connective tissue structure, in contrast to adult therapy.
Prolapse in childhood, as a rule, is present in those who have flat feet, impaired posture, hernia, congenital subluxations, and so on. Very often, prolapse in children occurs along with other heart abnormalities.
Very often prolapse is diagnosed in young patients with an asthenic body type. It is expressed in muscle tissue weakness, uncontrolled aggression and nervousness, as well as sensitivity. Often such children complain of chest pain, sinking hearts, dizziness, bouts of fear and so on.
Treatment with folk remedies
Alternative treatment of mitral valve prolapse of the 1st degree is currently quite popular. Thanks to various fruits and vegetables, you can strengthen the cardiovascular system and increase immunity. Such products include grapes, walnuts, baked potatoes, bananas, dried apricots and so on.
The following recipe can be used to prevent or even cure mitral valve prolapse of the 1st degree. You need to take 200 g of figs, prunes and dried apricots and pass them through a meat grinder. Eat the resulting mixture every morning with a teaspoon before eating. Store the medicine in a glass container in the refrigerator.
Herbal supplements that have a sedative effect are also good. Alternatively, you can try to mix in equal proportions motherwort, heather, hawthorn and thorns. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water. Wait for complete cooling, strain and drink during the day.
Is sport allowed?
The question of whether it is possible with prolapse of the mitral valve of the 1st degree to play sports is very relevant. It must be understood that in the presence of pronounced symptoms, it is advisable not to participate in regular competitions and not engage in professional sports. It is best to give preference to facilitated physical education.
Especially you need to pay attention to the degree of regurgitation. If there are no fainting, disturbances in the work of the heart muscle, thromboembolism and a family predisposition to heart disease, then in general, sport is indicated.
If we are talking about valve prolapse of the 1st degree, in which there is no symptomatology, then, as a rule, doctors do not limit sports. If, during prolapse, there is 1 form regurgitation, then excessive loads must be completely eliminated.
In the second degree of prolapse, doctors are often allowed to practice karate, gymnastics, baseball, and so on. However, it must be understood that with stable and regular intensive training, fainting may develop.
If we are talking about the third degree of regurgitation, then sports training is completely prohibited.
You need to understand that sport has a very strong burden on the heart, therefore, even in the absence of complications, complications can begin in a person.
Summary
The article describes the symptoms of the disease and its methods of treatment. If a person has a first degree of prolapse, then clinical manifestations may not bother him, but this does not mean that it will always be so. Each of us should listen to the work of our heart and protect it as much as possible.